we lost Graff

castana4 · 11-05-2004, 12:15 PM

Hi everyone bit of sad news my way we had to have graff a french bred horse only 8 yrs old at our yard put to sleep yesterday. Its not known yet what the exact problem was but the horse was fine untill 10am wednesday morning. He had been fine the day before had a lesson by our trainer and was normal. He left his meal the night before but seemed ok we thought maybe a touch of colic though he didnt have the signs. So we kept a close eye untill the following morning he had his head down and was thrashing his head against the stable walls. we got him out and put him in the lunge area where he was better untill the vet arived. When the vet came he said the horse looked ok little pink on his gums no high temp and no signs of colic. Then the horse suddenly took a turn for the worse and fell to the ground where we could not move him. The vet got a drip straigh in to him and after a while of some drugs got him to his feet. At 2pm we felt he was better on his feet to travel. So we loaded him in the trailer and took a slow 1hr 30mins drive to the horse hospital where the vets could deal with him. He was put in to a stable and after 1hr began with the thrashing of his head against the wall. The vets where very worried and said they did not know at all what was wrong. They said he has ither had a tumor or ate something posionas. We dont have grazing here so that was unlikely.
The horse again collapsed and the vet was very unsure hed get to his feet. he lost weight dramaticly in 20hrs and we could see he was fighting to live as he tried again to scramble to his feet. after 4 hrs the horse still down trying to hit his head against the wall and the vets trying what they can to keep him calm and take away any pain. We took pillows and blankets to cushon his head as we could not stop him hitting his head so the pillows where giving him some protection. The vets said im sorry I dont think this horse will get up, as he spoke them words the horse scrambled to his feet we knew he wanted to live he was fighting this problem. I heard yesterday when i was at the stables that he had got worse and his head was swelling so large that the horse was in incredible pain and vet told the owner that putting him to sleep was for the best.
The owner is not satisfied with the verdict from the vets and is outraged of the way they handled the situation as he thinks they didnt know what to do and thinks they could of saved his 8yr old gelding or at least done more.
We have ordered an ortopsy to be done but are not holding out the vets will own up if they are wrong

Shotgun93 · 11-05-2004, 12:21 PM

How horrible! That doesn't sound good at all. Hopefully the vets can figure out what the problem was, at least for the owners piece of mind. I am sorry about Graff, my thoughts are with you.

Moostang · 11-05-2004, 12:22 PM

I am so sorry for the loss.. Those are very strange symptoms, but it sounds like the horse was in a lot of pain, and is in a better place now, with greener pastures and unfenced fields of alfalfa.

Simon Says · 11-05-2004, 12:23 PM

i am so sad to hear that, i know how hard it is to lose a horse, i will keep ya'l in my prayers!

buggywhipp · 11-05-2004, 12:41 PM

What a terrible situation. The loss of a horse is difficult enough to deal with let alone adding not knowing what caused his death on top of that. I am so sorry. You guys are in my prayers and thoughts.

castana4 · 11-05-2004, 01:26 PM

Thanks everyone im still in shock i cant belive hes gone i was only stroking him tuesday and him licking my hands as he was very gentle giant standing at 17hh was such a shock i cant belive hes gone . will be great if you can think of what it may of been

thoroughbred_01 · 11-05-2004, 01:39 PM

im so sorry thats very sad i almost cryed im so sorry

Drafty1 · 11-05-2004, 01:44 PM

I sorry, it sounds like putting him down was best. Did they take blood and check for toxins when the vet first came out?

BubblesTheDuck · 11-05-2004, 02:10 PM

OMG! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
sorry! I have tears in my eyes! I'll keep you and Graff in my prayers and heart.
I know what it's like. All you can do is think of your good times w/ him. Don't think about how he's not there. Just pretend like he's at a show, forever......rly
sorry about your loss...

Busterzkool · 11-05-2004, 02:40 PM

im sooo sry to hear this~its reallllllly sad. but hopefully you'll find out what the cause of death was. tell us if u do. just remember him when he was happy and you'll become happy

11-05-2004, 12:15 PM	#1
castana4 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: edinburgh Posts: 512 Images: 56 Blog Entries: 1	we lost Graff Hi everyone bit of sad news my way we had to have graff a french bred horse only 8 yrs old at our yard put to sleep yesterday. Its not known yet what the exact problem was but the horse was fine untill 10am wednesday morning. He had been fine the day before had a lesson by our trainer and was normal. He left his meal the night before but seemed ok we thought maybe a touch of colic though he didnt have the signs. So we kept a close eye untill the following morning he had his head down and was thrashing his head against the stable walls. we got him out and put him in the lunge area where he was better untill the vet arived. When the vet came he said the horse looked ok little pink on his gums no high temp and no signs of colic. Then the horse suddenly took a turn for the worse and fell to the ground where we could not move him. The vet got a drip straigh in to him and after a while of some drugs got him to his feet. At 2pm we felt he was better on his feet to travel. So we loaded him in the trailer and took a slow 1hr 30mins drive to the horse hospital where the vets could deal with him. He was put in to a stable and after 1hr began with the thrashing of his head against the wall. The vets where very worried and said they did not know at all what was wrong. They said he has ither had a tumor or ate something posionas. We dont have grazing here so that was unlikely. The horse again collapsed and the vet was very unsure hed get to his feet. he lost weight dramaticly in 20hrs and we could see he was fighting to live as he tried again to scramble to his feet. after 4 hrs the horse still down trying to hit his head against the wall and the vets trying what they can to keep him calm and take away any pain. We took pillows and blankets to cushon his head as we could not stop him hitting his head so the pillows where giving him some protection. The vets said im sorry I dont think this horse will get up, as he spoke them words the horse scrambled to his feet we knew he wanted to live he was fighting this problem. I heard yesterday when i was at the stables that he had got worse and his head was swelling so large that the horse was in incredible pain and vet told the owner that putting him to sleep was for the best. The owner is not satisfied with the verdict from the vets and is outraged of the way they handled the situation as he thinks they didnt know what to do and thinks they could of saved his 8yr old gelding or at least done more. We have ordered an ortopsy to be done but are not holding out the vets will own up if they are wrong __________________ A horse gallops with his lung Preserveres with his heart, and wins with his character Last edited by castana4; 11-05-2004 at 12:26 PM.

11-05-2004, 12:21 PM	#2
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,366 Images: 124	How horrible! That doesn't sound good at all. Hopefully the vets can figure out what the problem was, at least for the owners piece of mind. I am sorry about Graff, my thoughts are with you. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

11-05-2004, 12:22 PM	#3
Moostang Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern Calif Posts: 9,799 Images: 680 Blog Entries: 55	I am so sorry for the loss.. Those are very strange symptoms, but it sounds like the horse was in a lot of pain, and is in a better place now, with greener pastures and unfenced fields of alfalfa. __________________ Don't poke bears... give them honey! http://moostangproductions.com

11-05-2004, 12:23 PM	#4
Simon Says Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Covington, La Posts: 3,649 Images: 207	i am so sad to hear that, i know how hard it is to lose a horse, i will keep ya'l in my prayers! __________________ "If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't either" Chrissy & Stormy

11-05-2004, 12:41 PM	#5
buggywhipp Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,767 Images: 112	What a terrible situation. The loss of a horse is difficult enough to deal with let alone adding not knowing what caused his death on top of that. I am so sorry. You guys are in my prayers and thoughts. __________________ ~Angie~ Limoges 2006 Rheinland Pfalz-Saar colt by Le Mode SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Horses Are Addictive, Expensive, And May Impair The Ability To Use Common Sense.

11-05-2004, 01:26 PM	#6
castana4 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: edinburgh Posts: 512 Images: 56 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks everyone im still in shock i cant belive hes gone i was only stroking him tuesday and him licking my hands as he was very gentle giant standing at 17hh was such a shock i cant belive hes gone . will be great if you can think of what it may of been __________________ A horse gallops with his lung Preserveres with his heart, and wins with his character

11-05-2004, 01:39 PM	#7
thoroughbred_01 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,313 Images: 8	im so sorry thats very sad i almost cryed im so sorry

11-05-2004, 01:44 PM	#8
Drafty1 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,397 Images: 516 Blog Entries: 1	I sorry, it sounds like putting him down was best. Did they take blood and check for toxins when the vet first came out? __________________ Yeah, I guess you were riding, until you fell off.

11-05-2004, 02:10 PM	#9
BubblesTheDuck Full Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mass. Posts: 58	OMG! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry! I have tears in my eyes! I'll keep you and Graff in my prayers and heart. I know what it's like. All you can do is think of your good times w/ him. Don't think about how he's not there. Just pretend like he's at a show, forever......rly sorry about your loss...

11-05-2004, 02:40 PM	#10
Busterzkool Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ny Posts: 820 Images: 28	im sooo sry to hear this~its reallllllly sad. but hopefully you'll find out what the cause of death was. tell us if u do. just remember him when he was happy and you'll become happy __________________ When riding my horse I no longer have my heart in my chest, but between my knees. There is no secret so close as that between a rider and her horse.

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